No King Bed? These King-Size Pillows Are the Next Best Thing

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If you're like me and live in NYC—aka the city notorious for having the world's ittiest-bittiest apartments—a king-size bed seems like an unattainable luxury. But one thing everyone can actually invest in? A king-size pillow—i.e., a game-changing pillow that adds a precious extra 10 inches of real estate for your head, doubles as support between your knees, acts as a cuddle buddy, or, ya know, fits your bed perfectly if you do own a king-size bed. But FWIW, finding a top-notch pillow in general can totally elevate your sleep game—and of course, pairing it with soft sheets, a comfortable mattress, and some cutie pajamas won't hurt, either.

When it comes to choosing the right king-size pillow for you, you've gotta consider factors such as fill type, sleep position, and your individual preferences (hi, sweaty sleepers!). With options ranging from plush down to supportive memory foam, there are a ton of different fills available; so whether you're a side sleeper who wants extra neck support, or a back sleeper who loves a softer feel, I found the best king-size pillows on the market rn that'll cater to every sleep style. Oh, and I personally tested and reviewed them—I know, brutal job. Here's a peek of my top favorites:

Now keep reading for all the deets on how each king-size pillow earned its spot on our best of the best list. Then, scroll to the bottom where I break down how you should choose a king-size pillow based on sleep position and fill type.

UltraCool Pillow

Leave it to NASA to create some seriously advanced temperature regulation technology, and s/o to Slumber Cloud for taking advantage of it to create this incredibly comfortable and cooling king-size pillow. But the temperature regulation is just one reason this bb earned the number one spot on our list. The others? It's designed to be machine-washed and dried, made with no icky chemicals (which ensures that it's hypoallergenic), anddd the down alternative feels ridiculously luxe. Yes, pls.

• Fill type: Down alternative

• Firmness: Soft/medium or medium/firm

THE REVIEW: "After trying the comforter and loving the amazing results of a perfect temperature, I tried the pillow. I am still getting hot flashes, but this pillow really does help with a cool down. Bought the silk pillowcase too and I have never slept better! Thank you!!"

Bed Pillows King Size Set

A set of quality king-size pillows at this price? I get you may have doubts, but maybeeee the almost 240,000 positive glowing reviews will convince you otherwise. Take it from me: these pillows are legit some of the comfiest that I have ever slept on and I absolutely love that you can choose the fill type you prefer. I compare the down/down alternative pillows to sleeping in a luxe hotel bed: they're the perfect amount of softness and legit feel like you're sleeping on a cloud.

• Fill type: Down, down alternative, memory foam, microfiber

• Firmness: Depends on fill choice

THE REVIEW: "This pillow is amazing. I’ve been looking for the perfect pillow and must’ve gone through at least 40 different ones before I tried this one. I needed a pillow that gave good neck support so I didn’t buy this pillow initially because I didn’t think it would. Not only is it soft and fluffy and unbelievably comfortable, but it supports my neck perfectly. It doesn’t flatten down. It keeps its shape and buoyancy. I don’t know what it is about this pillow that makes it so perfect, but I’m so glad I purchased it. I plan on stocking up with a few more just in case they stop making them. Love this pillow!"

LAYR Adjustable Firmness & Loft Pillow

This bb is expensive, I get it, but sometimes paying for an extra level of luxury like this adjustable pillow is worth it for a good night's sleep. Inside the cover (which is secured with a zipper), are three separate removable fills: firm (gel-infused memory foam), medium (gel-infused memory foam and down alternative), and soft (down alternative). Move 'em around, take one (or two) out, and experiment to find your *perfect* fit.

• Fill type: Three separate removable fills—gel-infused memory foam; gel-infused memory foam and down alternative; down alternative

• Firmness: Three separate removable fills—firm, medium, soft

THE REVIEWS: "They are AMAZING and the design is so smart. You get the best of all of the pillows I mentioned wrapped up in 1 single pillow. They are fully adjustable in every way. You receive an amazingly soft exterior pillow cover that is also a cooling material and then every kind of insert you could ever need."

Adjustable Cooling Pillow

Memory foam can be tricky—add too little or too much, and you'll wake up with a crank in your neck. But if you get it *juuuust* right, you've secured yourself the best night's sleep ever. This pillow by Snuggle-Pedic comes with an extra bag of memory foam, allowing you to customize the firmness to your unique needs. The suggestion? Back sleepers remove 1/4 of the shredded foam; stomach sleepers remove 1/3 of the shredded foam; and side sleepers try as is and adjust where you feel it's needed.

• Fill type: Shredded memory foam

• Firmness: Extra bag of memory foam allows you to customize firmness

THE REVIEW: "This pillow is amazingly comfortable and the perfect companion to my Snuggle-Pedic body pillow. The shredded gel foam keeps my head and neck supported and better aligned in soft comfort while my knees, hips, and shoulders are supported by the firmer body pillow. I haven’t had a sore neck for the last five mornings."

Sleep Hybrid Snow Pillow

Say a warm cold hello to the only pillow that my (very picky) grandparents claim actually keeps them cool throughout the night. As the skeptic I am, I put it to the test, and low and behold, I agree: This is the best cooling pillow on the market, and I want everyone and their mother to know. It works to provide 12 plus hours of coolness thanks to a cool-touch cover and Casper's signature HeatDelete bands—i.e., flexible graphite designed to draw heat away from your body.

• Fill type: Foam and fiber

• Firmness: Medium/firm

THE REVIEW: "The design of this pillow is beyond brilliant and effective in both cushion comfort and cooling capabilities. The first thing you will notice is the plush material of the pillow, in addition to the cool touch sensation you get when touching it. It's not too soft to where you sink all the way through it, but it's not firm to where it feels like laying on a padded brick either. It has the perfect amount of give and push back, and I am very happy with the comfort and feel of the pillow. Overall, I am incredibly impressed with this pillow. While the cost is a bit steep, it vastly exceeded my expectations, especially on the cooling side of things."

Premium Down Pillow

If you've heard my whispers carried softly through the wind regarding my love for affordable brand Quince, hello again, old friend. Today I bring to you another one of its best-sellers: The Premium Down Pillow that's responsibly sourced and available in soft, medium, or firm densities. Just like all its products, customers rave about the incredible quality at such a low price point, saying that it outperforms ridiculously more expensive competitors. Prefer a down-alternative option? Check out Quince's Adjustable Down-Alternative Pillow.

• Fill type: Down

• Firmness: Soft, medium, firm

THE REVIEW: "We had never used king-size pillows before, but had them in a hotel room, and decided to give them a try. These are great! We got the medium firm, and they are exactly that: firm enough to support a side sleeper, but not so jammed full that you can’t squish and manipulate them a bit. Two of them fill the space at the head of our king-size bed but are not too large to comfortably maneuver around when sleeping. So glad I bought these!"

Breeze Pillow

FYI, latex gives you just as much (if not more) support and is slightly cooler than a memory foam pillow. This means that if you get sweaty throughout the night and are a side sleeper, latex should be your new BFF. Because of its firmness, there is a suitable amount of loft (i.e., height) and support to keep your head and neck in proper alignment. I love this king-size pillow option by Buffy because it's sustainable and features over 400 (!!) air vents to release any hot air buildup—but dontchu worry, they're small enough where you won't feel them.

• Fill type: Latex

• Firmness: Firm

THE REVIEW: "I love when I can side sleep and my neck is supported alllllll night long. So many pillows will deflate throughout the night and I have to keep fluffing them to have my neck supported. But this pillow is the dream. It’s quite a bit springy, and almost bouncy. "

Organic Pillow

Made with all organic and natural materials, this sustainable king-size pillow from Birch is made with a core of latex covered in a layer of wool. This results in a soft yet supportive pillow that is ideal for all types of sleepers. Organic pillows are naturally hypoallergenic, meaning they are less likely to trigger allergies or sensitivities and reduce exposure to potentially icky chemicals. And bonus: There won't be any off-putting chemical smells upon opening your new pillow. Wool is also a natural insulator, meaning it's a great temperature-regulating option.

• Fill type: Wool and latex

• Firmness: Medium

THE REVIEW: "Wow! This pillow is incredible. Soft and comfy, but it also has good bounce."

How to choose the best king size pillow:

Choosing the right king-size pillow for you depends on your personal preferences, the fill type, and your typical sleep position.

Fill type

• Down (or down-alternative): Known for its plush and ~luxe~ feel, down pillows are filled with soft feathers from ducks or geese (or synthetic polyester that mimics the softness of the birds if you go with a down alternative option). They are a good option for those who want a softer feel.

• Memory foam: The foam contours to the shape of your head and neck, providing personalized support and relieving pressure points. Can be on the medium to firm side, and is a great option for those with shoulder or neck pain.

• Latex: Firm and supportive, yet still able to conform to your head and neck, latex is a hypoallergenic option—as well as resistant to dust mites and mold—and is a little bit cooler than memory foam.

• Polyester: Available in various densities and offering different levels of support, these pillows are the most affordable option. While they may lack the plushness of a down or memory foam pillow, they're good for budget-conscious shoppers.

Sleep position

• Side sleepers: Firm or medium-firm with enough loft (i.e., height) to keep your head and neck aligned with your spine. A contoured or ergonomic pillow designed for side sleepers is a great option as it provides extra support. Side sleepers can also benefit from a cushion between your legs for good spinal alignment. Try: Buffy Breeze Latex Pillow

• Back sleepers: Medium-firm pillow that supports your neck, as well as a medium loft, is typically the best option. Try: Casper Sleep Hybrid Snow Pillow

• Stomach sleepers: A soft, low-loft pillow to prevent unnecessary strain on your neck. Stomach sleepers can also benefit from a flat pillow or cushion underneath your hips to alleviate any discomfort. Try: Quince Premium Down Pillow in Soft Firmness

• Combo sleepers: If you change positions a lot, look for an adjustable pillow that'll work with you—i.e., removable filling. A memory foam or latex pillow is also a good option as it'll support your head and neck regardless of movement. Try: LUXOME LAYR Adjustable Firmness & Loft Pillow

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